How healthy is stand-up paddling? A health check for body & mind
Many of us know stand-up paddling mainly from holidays. There you usually find beginner or hybrid boards that are perfect for a leisurely paddle along the beach, with a wonderful view from the water. But there is often a misconception that SUP is only for athletes. That simply isn’t true!
Thanks to the wide range of boards, SUP now covers a huge spectrum. Beginner, leisurely paddler or extreme athlete – everyone can benefit from paddling. And that’s not all: SUP is often described as one of the most effective full-body workouts. You stand upright the whole time while paddling – which works your whole body. Your back, core, legs and arms are all activated. How healthy is stand-up paddling? The question is quickly answered when you look at the health benefits.
Stand-up paddling strengthens your muscles
Many people think that stand-up paddling (SUP) is just a way of getting around and not real strength or endurance training. In fact, SUP is a great full-body workout that strengthens almost all the major muscle groups. Your back and core muscles in particular are worked hard while paddling. But your legs and arms get a workout on the board too: constantly stabilising your body on the moving board keeps these muscles working all the time.
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How healthy is stand-up paddling for endurance and coordination?
Very – because SUP is also effective endurance training. The constant movement on the water builds cardiovascular fitness and improves coordination at the same time. You have to keep balancing, which trains your reflexes, motor skills and stability. For people who don’t move much in everyday life, it is an effective way to get into exercise.
Stand-up paddling to balance everyday life
Many people spend most of their day sitting – in the office, in the car or at home. The body misses important stimuli for maintaining muscles and posture. So how healthy is stand-up paddling as a counterbalance? Very! It gets all your muscle groups moving and especially activates your core. That can help with back pain and with tension in the neck and shoulders. Training on a SUP board isn’t only physically effective, it is also good for the mind. Nature, the calm on the water and the fresh air are relaxing and help relieve stress. Many paddlers describe a feeling of lightness and slowing down – similar to yoga on the water. How healthy is stand-up paddling? For the mind, too: very healthy!
The calm surroundings by the water invite you to switch off and relax, and moving in the fresh air does body and mind good.
The perfect balance for anyone looking for calm and relaxation in a stressful everyday life!
How healthy is stand-up paddling really?
Stand-up paddling is all-round training that combines strength, endurance, coordination and mental relaxation. It is easy to get into, gentle on the joints and suitable for all ages. If you paddle regularly, you will soon notice how positive it is for body and mind. How healthy is stand-up paddling? The answer: highly recommended all round – for anyone who wants an active, balanced life.
